Ilene Joyce St. John

She was 83 years old and passed away peacefully on 10 17 09 where she lived in Prescott Arizona since 1998. Married to Philip StJohn on 08 07 48 with his three children, Charles, Nancy, and Karolyn, in Michigan. Then in 1951, with 2 additional children Diana and Ray, this family of 7 motored west to their new home in Tucson AZ. She was a self taught homemaker and kept a household of 7 with pride and joy! She enjoyed traveling with Phil and the children on vacations. But fishing with the Cholla Bay Club in Mexico was a weekend and holiday event that gathered many relatives. She was a member of the Tucson Jaycettes and did community charity work in the 1950's. Ilene and Phil were square dancers and members of different groups that performed for charities during 1960 to 1970.  In the 1970 this empty nester started a beef jerky business~ "Western Jerky".  Featured in Sports Illustrated and CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084910/index.htm   In 1980's Ilene became healthcare giver to her husband Phil. In June of 1986 they did a religious pilgramaged to Medjegoria Yugoslovia. She was catholic and enjoyed masses, recieving communion, and saying a daily rosary. Her husband died 02 13 90. In 1996 she moved to Prescott AZ with her family Diana Ray and Kathy. She enjoyed her masses, shopping, downtown community events and donating to church, Goodwill and charities. She enjoyed watching football and cheered the Broncos on. She loved cooking "the old fashioned recipes", vegetable gardening,  and family holidays. She also played cards, worked puzzles and enjoyed playing at the casinos. She lived a vital and active life and very happy, right up to her last day. Roop Family Lineage http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=mpearce&op=SRCH&surname=ROOP   Survivors Daughter: Diana StJohn and Son: Ray and Kathy StJohn Grandchildren Deanna,  Suzette, Derra, Charles, Dede, Katy, Lisa, Michael, Betsy, Dennis, Debbie, Donna, Dory, Diane.  There are many family and friends not listed above. Services will be in the Spring of 2010 in Traverse City Michigan The family wishes to thank all of those who helped the family and  Ilene's transition.